Related Media

TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Dear Truckee-Tahoe Community Members and Friends,

Welcome to the 2013 annual Relay for Life of Truckee Tahoe.

For the past seven years, our community has come together to help those facing cancer get well, to help those who have yet to be touched by cancer to stay well, to find cures for this dreadful disease and to fight back, so our children and their children never have to hear the words, “You have cancer.”

Each of us has a reason to Relay. I Relay because I am fighting cancer; I celebrate those who are brave and are still fighting cancer; I want to remember my family and friends who are no longer with us due to cancer; and I want to fight back each and every way and day to rid this planet of cancer.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Truckee Tahoe is volunteer driven. The volunteer committee formed from our community members planned long and hard to make this event a reality. Stop and thank them for their hard work. Their time and talents are treasured! If you’d like to help out planning next year’s event — please see me. Now!

I also want to thank our Team Captains for their planning and preparation. Relay does not happen without leaders like each of you. Thank you for the incredible commitment you have made and the passion you bring to the event!

Also I say thank you to our Relay supporters — all of our team members, sponsors, donors, caregivers and of course, our cancer survivors proudly wearing purple and walking that first lap of victory. I’m sure that I am forgetting someone out there who did one wonderful job — I apologize now, but know you are appreciated. With the joy of hope and victory you bring, you make this event memorable year after year.

It has been an honor to serve as your Event Chair. I hope to see you on the track.

Chris B. Otto

2013 Event Chair, Relay For Life of Truckee Tahoe

The origins of Relay

May 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Wash., ultimately raising $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society fight the nation’s biggest health concern — cancer. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Since those first steps, the Relay For Life movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising more than $4 billion to fight cancer, according to www.relayforlife.org.

Relay for Life of Truckee Tahoe

Twenty-two Teams (so far) will walk 24 hours (‘cause cancer doesn’t sleep). Relay knows friends share the journey. We are all are in it to win it.

Opening Ceremony, 9 a.m. The Opening Ceremony brings everyone together for a high-energy event kickoff to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, to inspire hope by sharing recent accomplishments and progress, and to remind everyone that while we are winning this battle, fighting cancer is a year-round priority.

Survivors Lap, 9:30 a.m. During the Survivors Lap, upbeat music plays as all cancer survivors at the event take the first lap around the track cheered on by the other participants who line the track, celebrating their victory over cancer.

Luminaria Ceremony, 9 p.m. The Luminaria Ceremony is a time to remember people we have lost to cancer, to support people who currently have cancer, and to honor people who have fought cancer in the past. The power of this ceremony lies in providing an opportunity for people to work through grief and find hope.

Fight Back, 8:30 a.m. The Fight Back Ceremony symbolizes the emotional commitment we each make to the fight against cancer. The action we take represents what we are willing to do for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our community to fight cancer year-round and to commit to saving lives.

Closing Ceremony, 9 a.m. The Closing Ceremony is a time to remember the lives of those lost and to celebrate that each of us has committed, through our participation in a Relay event, to fight back against this disease over the next year.